MASS REARING IN LABORATORY OF AVOCADO SEED MOTH Stenoma catenifer (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae)

Purpose: Stenoma catenifer (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae), avocado seed moth, is considered a key pest in avocado because of the direct damages caused to the fruits by the entrance of the larvae and the construction of galleries. Thus, the objective was to determine a methodology of laboratory rearing to obtain insects for research on it behavior, biology, ecology and mainly control. Methods: The beginning of the laboratory establishment was with insects collected in organic crop of avocado located in Franca, SP (20 ° 32’19’’S 47 ° 24’03’’W). The insects were taken to the Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Unifran and the material was screened to obtain the S. catenifer larvae. Results: The fruits containing larvae were packed in transparent plastic containers until the pupae were formed (36cm length, 25.5cm width and 12.5 height). The pupae were transferred to other transparent plastic containers (11cm length, 11cm width and 7.5cm height) containing a layer of vermiculite to fix the pupae. In the adult phase, couples were placed in mate and oviposition cages (14cm length, 14cm width and 22cm height), containing a fruit to stimulate oviposition (fixed in support) and two sponges under pet bottle caps to offer the diet (water and honey at 10%). The top of the cage was closed with voil fabric to promote aeration. Conclusion : The methodology used is suitable for mass rearing of avocado seed moth S. catenifer .